Pakistan: Former spy chief sentenced for abuse of power

Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed was sentenced to 14 years in prison by a military court in Pakistan on Thursday.

Hameed was the head of the country's Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency from 2019 to 2021 under jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Hameed was convicted on four charges relating to abuse of power and betraying state secrets.

"After lengthy and laborious legal proceedings, (the) accused has been found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment by the court," read a judicial statement, without giving details of Hameed's alleged crimes.

Hameed has notably stayed loyal to Khan, who was removed from power following a no-confidence vote in parliament. Khan has been in prison since 2023 after he was convicted on a number of corruption charges.

Khan has accused the US of helping orchestrate his ouster with Pakistan's powerful military. In particular he has pointed to Field Marshal Asim Munir, an army leader once fired by Khan who is now considered the most powerful man in the country.